Proverbs 13:5 kjv

A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 13:5 nkjv

A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

Proverbs 13:5 niv

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

Proverbs 13:5 esv

The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 13:5 nlt

The godly hate lies;
the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 5 Meaning

Proverbs 13:5 delineates a stark contrast between the character and conduct of the righteous and the wicked. A righteous individual inherently detests all forms of falsehood and deception, living in alignment with truth. Conversely, a wicked person actively engages in actions that not only are morally corrupt but also inevitably bring disgrace, odiousness, and shame upon themselves and often others. The verse highlights that one's disposition towards truth directly reflects their moral nature, leading to distinct outcomes of integrity or dishonor.

Proverbs 13 5 Context

Proverbs chapter 13, like much of the book, consists of short, contrasting proverbs that highlight the diverging paths and outcomes of the wise/righteous versus the foolish/wicked. This chapter specifically addresses various aspects of character and behavior: the value of discipline (vv. 1, 18), the consequences of speech (vv. 2-3), diligence and laziness (vv. 4, 11), integrity and deceit (vv. 5-6), and wealth and poverty (vv. 7, 8, 21, 25). Verse 5 fits squarely within this theme by contrasting the inner moral disposition towards truth—and its resulting outward manifestation—as a hallmark distinction between the righteous and the wicked. It establishes that a fundamental moral purity (hatred of lies) defines the righteous, while a deep moral corruption (acting shamefully) marks the wicked, with corresponding social and spiritual consequences. The emphasis is on a principled rejection of falsehood rooted in one's very being, in contrast to the inherent depravity that produces disgrace. This aligns with wisdom literature's pervasive polemic against falsehood, seeing it not merely as a bad act but a symptom of a morally bankrupt soul that deviates from God's created order and truth.

Proverbs 13 5 Word analysis

• A righteous man (Hebrew: צַדִּיק, tzaddiq): Refers to one who is just, upright, innocent, and faithful to God's covenant. This is not merely someone who does good deeds, but someone whose character is aligned with divine justice and truth. Their righteousness is a core aspect of their being, impacting their inclinations.
• hates (Hebrew: שָׂנֵא, sane’): Signifies a deep, moral revulsion, an active aversion, not merely a dislike. It implies a fundamental antagonism to something, indicating a strong internal rejection and abhorrence that defines one's disposition and behavior. For the righteous, this "hate" is rooted in their love for God and His truth.
• lying (Hebrew: שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): Encompasses falsehood, deception, deceit, fraud, and treachery. It covers any deviation from truth, whether spoken or acted upon. It's often associated with idolatry, unfaithfulness, and breaking trust. The righteous tzaddiq stands against all forms of sheqer.
• but (Hebrew: וְ, ve): A simple conjunction "and" or "but." Here it functions strongly as a disjunctive "but," emphasizing the sharp antithesis and contrasting outcomes between the two subjects.
• a wicked man (Hebrew: רָשָׁע, rasha’): Describes someone who is morally unrighteous, guilty, alienated from God's way, and actively engaged in sin. Their wickedness is an intrinsic part of their character, influencing their choices and actions.
• brings shame / acts shamefully (Hebrew: יַבְאִישׁ, yav'ish - Hiphil of בָּאַשׁ, ba'ash): The verb ba'ash literally means "to stink" or "to become foul." In the Hiphil, it means "to cause to stink," "to make odious," "to cause to be foul-smelling," or "to act shamefully." It paints a vivid picture of moral decay and repulsive conduct, signifying that the wicked not only are corrupt but also spread corruption and make themselves disgusting in the eyes of others and God.
• and disgrace (Hebrew: יַחְפִּיר, yachpir - Hiphil of חָפֵר, chafer): The verb chafer means "to be ashamed," "to be confounded." In the Hiphil, it means "to put to shame," "to make ashamed," or "to cause dishonor/confusion." It points to the outcome of their actions: public dishonor, humiliation, and moral exposure. The wicked person's actions ultimately lead to their own dishonor and can cause others associated with them to feel shame.

Words-group analysis:

• "A righteous man hates lying": This phrase reveals that the righteous person's opposition to falsehood is deeply ingrained in their moral fabric. It is not merely an outward behavior but an internal disposition—a core aspect of their purified character that aligns with divine truth and abhorrence of all that is deceitful. This implies moral discernment and integrity from the heart.
• "but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace": This parallel clause vividly portrays the inevitable consequence of a wicked character. Their actions do not merely result in bad outcomes, but inherently produce moral foulness and lead to a state of dishonor. The strong verbal imagery (yav'ish - to cause to stink/become odious) suggests that wickedness is repulsive and leads to public ignominy and moral rottenness, making clear that disgrace is an intrinsic byproduct of their nature and deeds.

Proverbs 13 5 Bonus section

The active "hating" of lying for the righteous speaks to an internal sanctification, where one's moral compass is so finely tuned to divine truth that deceit feels intrinsically repulsive. This isn't a passive dislike, but a passionate revulsion, aligning the righteous person with God Himself, who "cannot lie" (Tit 1:2) and whose character is pure truth (emet). For the wicked, the progressive nature of "bringing shame and disgrace" indicates a downward spiral where deceit becomes self-destructive. Lying, when adopted as a lifestyle, erodes trust, corrupts one's inner being, and ultimately exposes the perpetrator to public ignominy, signifying a state of profound alienation from God and righteous humanity. This also subtly points to a spiritual truth: falsehood is intrinsically linked to the "father of lies" (Jn 8:44), while truth is embodied in Christ (Jn 14:6), suggesting the ultimate spiritual allegiance defining the righteous and the wicked.

Proverbs 13 5 Commentary

Proverbs 13:5 presents a foundational moral axiom: a person's core character dictates their relationship with truth, and this relationship defines their outcomes. The righteous individual, defined by their uprightness and conformity to God's will, does not simply avoid telling lies; they hate lying. This strong internal repulsion signifies a complete moral incompatibility with falsehood, indicating a heart condition aligned with the very truth and holiness of God. This profound aversion to sheqer (deception in all its forms) reveals a nature transformed and dedicated to integrity.

In stark contrast, the wicked person's deeds lead directly to "shame and disgrace." The original Hebrew word yav'ish, meaning to "make odious" or "cause to stink," carries powerful imagery of moral repulsiveness and decay. The wicked, by their actions, make themselves and their character detestable, inviting ignominy. Their inherent moral corruption, which embraces and utilizes falsehood, inevitably unravels, exposing them to public contempt and a self-inflicted spiritual degradation. Thus, the verse affirms that integrity flows from righteousness and leads to honor, while deceit emanates from wickedness and results in utter dishonor. It's a statement about moral trajectories, where who you are dictates what you do and, consequently, what becomes of you.

• Practical Examples:
  • A student who excels honestly, even when others cheat, embodying the righteous hatred of falsehood, gains genuine respect and a clear conscience.
  • A politician whose policies are rooted in truth and serve the common good, even if unpopular, eventually garners trust, while one who consistently uses manipulative tactics faces exposure and public scorn.